CRISIS AT WAIHI.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 154, 16 June 1911, Page 1

CRISIS AT WAIHI.

PREPARING FOR THE WORST.

SERIOUS RESULTS OF A STRIKE.

[per press association.]

Auckland, June 15.

The Auckland Star’s Waihi -correspondent understands that certain preparations are now . being made at the mine by the Waihi G.M. Company in view of the possibility of’the men being’ called out. A firebell has been erected, and various sheds supplied with fire hose. Means are also being adopted to, take the horses out of, the underground drives to the surn face. Timber which had been sent to the bottom level for timbering purposes M also being brought up. The are gradually adopting “all the job’/ on the cooperative system, 'as passed? by the unicm,' and such- parties are being made smaller, and the contractors are restricting them to men of I their own choice.

t People here now are commencing to . realise the seriousness of the situation, and everyone is hoarding up spare' cash. No other topic is being discussed. In the event of a strike the gas supply would cease, and the place would receive such a set-back that it would probably take half a decade to properly recover itself. Great speculation js rife as to the manner.ip which the vote on the critical question will be taken. The Union rules state that “Voting at. all meetings may be by show of hands, but if two members so demand voting shall be by ballot.” It is being strongly urged that the. ballot should- be conducted in the. same manner as at a municipal poll, and with independent scrutineers.

The union issued a notice this morning to the effect that, after Saturday, June 17, all contracts in and about the mine are to be carried out on 'the co-operative system.